Chapter 3

Red’s POV

The following day.

We had one of our major classes today, just a lecture before moving on to the lab activity. It was exhausting, but also challenging, especially with all the experiments we had to complete.

Two groups were assigned to each long rectangular table, with the apparatus set in the middle for everyone to share. There were six tables in total, making twelve groups. Each group had five members, so there were sixty students in the room altogether.

The lab was bustling with activity. The clinking of glassware echoed around, mixed with low murmurs of conversation. I was focused on my analysis when someone from across the table spoke.

“Hey, girl?”

“Hey?” she repeated.

I looked up from my test tube and realized she was talking to me.

“Oh, sorry,” I said with a sheepish smile. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Mitch Bulang.”

“Red Vera,” I replied simply.

“Yeah, I know. But honestly, I admire your guts. You were so brave yesterday in our minor class. Dang, girl!” she exclaimed, waving her hand dramatically while holding a test tube in the other.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused. “Oh… was it because I was late?”

“Nah! That wasn’t even a minor,” she laughed. “I meant the class after organic chemistry, when you sat beside the university’s Mr. Perfect!”

“Who?”

I tried to remember. The only person I recalled was that grumpy guy in the black hoodie who had been sleeping in the corner.

“Oh, the sleepy guy?” I guessed.

“Damn, you’ve got guts!” she said, eyes wide. “I like you. Can we be friends?”

“Keep your voice down,” I whispered, noticing our professor glance in our direction.

“The ‘sleepy guy’ you’re talking about is the Mr. Perfect of this university!” she said excitedly, clasping her hands.

“So what if he is? What do you mean?” I tried to sound uninterested, though curiosity was creeping in. “Who is he, anyway?”

“You don’t know him?” she asked in disbelief, then shrugged. “Well, you’re new, so that makes sense. That guy you called a sleepyhead? He’s basically everyone’s dream, girls and even some guys.”

Her tone was exaggerated, and a few students at our table leaned in. Some rolled their eyes, others suppressed laughter.

“He’s perfect in every way, looks, brains, everything. Are you blind? Or just a clueless transferee?” she added bluntly.

I blinked, caught off guard by her honesty.

She went on dreamily, resting her chin on her hand as if describing a saint.

“He’s a varsity basketball player, an academic and athletic scholar, plays guitar, sings… He’s everything. Like, he’s Mr. Everything, and I’m Ms. Everything. Perfect, right?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“What’s funny?” she pouted, adjusting the burette.

“Sorry. You just sound like you can’t live without him.”

“Of course! He’s like my oxygen,” she said dramatically, then suddenly scoffed. “But seriously, he’s not the only guy on earth. I can still find someone who’ll actually notice me and treat me right. He’s handsome, sure, but no one dares get close to him. He’s… kind of evil.”

Her mood shifted instantly.

“You’re the only person who dared to sit beside him and even wake him up,” she added, raising an eyebrow.

That caught me off guard. I knew I was a nobody, but how did she know that?

“Really? Is he some kind of monster? Why is everyone scared of him?” I frowned.

“It’s just this… natural intimidation,” she explained. “When he’s around, you feel it. Everyone’s intimidated by him, and Chloe. Don’t mess with them.”

Chloe?

I didn’t understand why she suddenly mentioned another name.

What kind of influence did they have to make people this intimidated?

Still, I reminded myself I was new here. Maybe I just didn’t get it yet.

We continued talking while working on our experiment. Despite her dramatic personality, Mitch was easy to get along with. I felt comfortable around her.

Our conversation was cut short when the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

“Talk to you later, Red! Bye!” she waved as she rushed out.

“Bye!”

She left so quickly that she didn’t even take off her lab coat.

I smiled to myself before putting away my materials in the locker under the table.

I went to look for Colleen. We weren’t in the same group since teams were assigned randomly. I ended up in group two, while she was in group three.

I nearly jumped when she suddenly appeared in front of me.

“Stop doing that, you scared me,” I said, trying to steady myself. She just laughed.

“Let’s eat. I’m starving,” she said, rubbing her stomach like a child.

Right on cue, my stomach growled.

“Not obvious at all,” she teased.

“I really need food. That lab drained me,” I admitted.

“Same. I could eat a whole bucket of rice,” she sighed.

“Let’s go,” I said, pulling her along.

“I’ve got something to tell you later,” she whispered excitedly.

She dragged me to the cafeteria, which took us about ten minutes to find.

We were so hungry that we didn’t notice the stares around us, until after we finished eating.

“They’re new.”

“They look like trash.”

“Cheap rats.”

The whispers reached us. I signaled Colleen to leave, but she shook her head.

“I’m still eating. I won’t let them ruin my appetite,” she said boldly.

I sighed. She had a point.

“So what were you going to tell me?” I asked instead.

“Oh, right! It’s about that Greek god, Mr. Black Hoodie… baby.”

I nearly choked.

“His name is Crow B. Dallas,” she continued. “Even his name sounds powerful.”

It was a nice name, unique, even.

She went on about his talents and achievements, most of which I had already heard from Mitch.

Then suddenly, the cafeteria grew noisy.

We both turned toward the entrance.

And there he was.

Crow Dallas walked in, with a girl clinging possessively to his arm.

So much for no one daring to go near him.

All eyes were on them.

“That’s Chloe Grey,” Colleen said. “They’re considered the perfect pair. She’s talented, beautiful, rich, smart… every guy’s dream.”

She paused, then scoffed. “And a total bitch. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like her already.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“She’s basically Ms. Perfect,” Colleen continued, stabbing her food. “The only girl who can do whatever she wants with him.”

Honestly, it all sounded childish.

But I couldn’t deny it, they looked good together.

Still, something about it irritated me.

“You know what?” I suddenly said. “They’re just human. They’ll grow old. They’ll die like everyone else. There’s nothing to envy.”

I was breathing heavily by the time I finished.

And then I realized…

The cafeteria had gone completely silent.

Everyone was staring at me.

I swallowed hard.

I was standing.

A second later, laughter erupted across the room. Even Chloe laughed.

My irritation flared, especially when I saw Crow.

He didn’t react at all.

His expression was blank.

“I think we should go,” Colleen whispered, embarrassed, pulling me away.

As we left, she kept praising my “bravery,” but honestly, I hadn’t meant to say any of that out loud.

I didn’t even know what came over me.

I wasn’t sure how I’d face everyone after that.

Still… at least I had one friend who supported me.

Even when we were alone.